OTHELLO – Juan “Jerry” Garcia, born and raised in Othello, is running for Director of District 3 on the Othello School Board. He said that this decision comes from his goal to give back to the community that shaped him into the man he is today. 

“When I was younger, we never had in my generation a student representative as far as I know and this is pretty exciting,” said Garcia. “I’m open to hearing what the kids have to say because they will say things that we would never even consider because they are in that position directly.” 

Growing up, he had been part of the Advancement Via Individual Determination program, which was a college and career readiness system designed to support students. 

Garcia said his decision to run has come from the observation of budget cuts and programs being lost throughout the careers he’s worked. By running for the school board, he hopes he can ensure that the community can continue to have the same opportunities he had. 

“My community, it made me the man I am today and the way I want to give back to it and then some, especially in mental health,” he said. “Something I take pride in is trying to leave the world better than I found it and that includes listening to people more.” 

Starting his professional life at Walmart and then going to Lamb Weston, Garcia now works for Coyote Ridge Correctional Center. He said working in corrections has taught him a great deal about how policies work since it goes into the daily operations at the facility. 

“The skills that I would bring include reading between the lines of policy and guidelines,” said Garcia. “And I’d like to get a better understanding of policy development as well.” 

Some of the main issues facing the Othello community at the school level as of late are maintaining staff retention and the loss of programs, said Garcia. He said he wants to help educators get the resources they need to bring up the next generation of neighbors, coworkers, supervisors and leaders.  

With potential budget cuts and the loss of programs, he said he wants to put an emphasis on the safety of all students and aid the community through the any of the decision-making processes, whether they be on curriculum, budgeting, policies that include safety, ensure undistorted curriculums, and support students and staff alike. 

Something Garcia said he would also focus on if elected is listening to the people and answering their questions on any policy that is being on. He said he highly encourages people to question him and hold him accountable. 

“When you’re running for office, you mostly just talk and you want people to listen to you, but once you’re in office, you need to listen to people,” he said.  

Garcia said that there are still things he would like to learn along the way and hopes that he can be allowed the opportunity to serve his community.